Celebrating 20 Years of West Texas Friendship and Philanthropy

In 1998, West Texas residents and hospital trustees, Graham Childress and Dan Davidson, along with a handful of philanthropic colleagues and community members, gathered to brainstorm ways to raise awareness about Scottish Rite Hospital in their region of the state. On that morning, over coffee with friends, the San Angelo Sporting Clay Shoot was born. The event marks a milestone this fall as it celebrates its 20th year of helping the hospital give children back their childhood.

“It has exposed a lot of people to the hospital and the amazing work they do,” Davidson says of the clay shoot. “Like the hospital, there’s just something really special about this event.”

And with that special brand of West Texas generosity, the clay shoot has earned a large and loyal following. In addition to San Angelo, participants come from throughout the area and state, including Midland, Odessa, Abilene and San Antonio, making the event one of the largest of its kind in the area.

“There are places in West Texas with more jackrabbits than people but lots of folks come out for this,” says Gene Sherrod, M.D., who has been involved with the clay shoot since the beginning and has attended all 19. “When an event helps a hospital that cares for so many kids, people want to support it.”

The spirit of the clay shoot mirrors the collaborative nature of the hospital itself. “All the volunteers, from the local community and beyond, have been key to our success,” Childress says. “Over the years, it has become a tradition.”

Thank you to everyone who contributed and participated in the 2017 San Angelo Sporting Clay Shoot, benefiting the patients and families of Scottish Rite Hospital. Another lively day of camaraderie and clays, this year’s event brought together more than 525 shooters, advocates and volunteers for shooting fun under the warm West Texas sun. More importantly, it raised much-needed funds for the care of our special patients. Your support of this unique event allows us to continue our work, providing exceptional medical care to kids and offering hope to families. We’re giving children back their childhood. And you have helped make it happen!

Thanks again for believing in our work and helping us celebrate 20 amazing years of this incredible event.

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Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is a world-renowned leader in the treatment of orthopedic conditions such as scoliosis, clubfoot, hand differences, hip disorders, sports injuries and fractures, as well as certain related arthritic and neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia.